We're #11. How embarrassing.

Click here to see a rather  humiliating  chart, which compares voter turnout among 12 major nations. Canada appears in red on this chart -- not in deference to the flag, but because we are second-last in voter turnout figures. A pathetic 58.8 per cent. Only Japan is worse, with 56.6 per cent. 

In one day, tomorrow, we could fix that. We could take all that "we're going to be #1" or "own the podium" enthusiasm we applied to the Olympics and actually improve our international standing in this blunt measure of democracy. No running, jumping or feats of strength required. Just a simple trip to the ballot box. That's it. 

To be first, by the way, we'd have to leap over Australia's 95.2 per cent (where voting is mandatory). Denmark is in second place, with 86.6 per cent.  So maybe, for now, we should just try to be better than the United Kingdom, with 65.5 per cent, or the United States, with 70.2 per cent. And at the very least, we should do better than our own personal worst. 

 

 

Comments

[Simon]

That figure for the United States is not correct -- far fewer than 70.2% of Americans vote.

[Cathy Payne]

When I heard about the phone calls misleading voters to supress the vote it just kills me we are going that road now too. But it indicates there is no majority either, otherwise the voter supression wouldn't be worth the actual cash paid the private contractors to push "a victory" along. I'd rather have the centre I am familiar with but I still have a sense of humour too. I can imagine the UN greeting Mr Layton and joking about him being "Taliban Jack" before he got the job. Or the conversation Jack might have with "Danny Chavez" either. Conservatives sure are consistant with the enemies and how they treat them. When the Auditor General's report is finally heard it will be greeted as if it were Tattler Magazine. Oppressing them again. I found it particularily poignant when I heard what Alberta radio listeners want for BC coasts. Increasing Boat traffic while sending your Senators to turn the lights off (closing lighthouses). It is just insane to some people watching.

[Cathy Payne]

Well I was wrong about the majority. They spent the money anyway for extra suppression. I imagine the $2 per vote will be ended as well. It shifts the taxpayer subsidy over to donors who write cheques from home or groups. The side that encourages voter turnout gets clobbered in response. Shifts the power away from an actual physical voter over to the armchair fundraisers instead. Public financing was started in Arizona, I think. It has moved on now to be part two of Citizens United to crush any public financing. The old excuse was it would starve the BLOC out of politics. Can't use that excuse anymore. I am sure they will find a new excuse.

[Ron]

I just don't care... if you don't have an opinion strong enough to vote, don't vote.